Unitus

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Short version of a new film by Unitus and NonFiction Media, Wealth of Opportunity: Microfinance in Person. Video features inspiring stories of African and Indian borrowers whose lives have been transformed through microfinance.

Combining Omidyar Network and Unitus' collective experience and expertise to increase access to microfinance for millions around the globe, Unitus has been able to deliver tremendous impact in an extremely brief period of time. We're grateful to ON for their dedication, commitment, and willingness to take risks with us in new and underserved markets to expand the reach of financial services for the poor.


— Ed Bland, President of Unitus

Unitus creates economic opportunity in emerging markets by identifying and supporting microfinance institutions that deliver financial services to underserved populations. 

Why We Invested

Unitus is one of the fastest growing networks of microfinance institutions (MFIs), enabling wide-scale expansion of the provision of financial services to the poor. Unitus is a nonprofit organization that builds momentum in the microfinance industry by providing and arranging capital financing and strategic support to MFIs, helping them to become operationally and financially sustainable.

With expertise in finance, venture capital, and strategic consulting, Unitus is unique in its ability to select MFIs with high-growth potential and commercial viability. It helps MFI partners expand their services, improve outreach, and achieve scale so that more people gain access to financial services and economic opportunity.

Impact
  • Benefited an estimated 35 million family members across nine countries in 2008
  • Expanded MFI network to 24 institutions in the first half of 2009